Orion Law Management Getting Started with Orion Overview of Orion The Orion Interface Updated April 14, 2024 17:17 ORION is accessible through the ORION icon on your Windows’ “Desktop.” Double-click on this icon and you will access ORION. ORION contains all programs associated with Time Management (e.g. Fee Entry and Edit), workflow tools such as Orion’s Client-Matter Intake Process, Online Check Request Manager, as well as Orion’s Expense Reimbursement Manager. It also contains several informational and inquiry programs such as Conflict of Interest Search/Reporting, Orion’s Payment Calendar as well as various Dashboards for measuring both individual and overall firm performance. The security set up by the firm’s administrative department controls which functions you may or may not have access to. When you first enter ORION, the following screen will appear: If you have completely unrestricted rights to all programs within the ORION Desktop Program Group, you will see twelve options on the left Task Bar. They are as follows: Object Description Fee Entry Button Choosing this button gives you access to Fee Entry. Smart Timers Button Choosing this button gives you access to Smart Timers. Time Manager Button Choosing this button gives you access to four functions associated with Fee Entry (Entry/Edit, Listing, Fee Calendar, Spell Check/Search and Replace, and Fee Reports). Contacts Button Choosing this button allows you to view a list of Clients,related Matters and certain details for each. This is also where the Client and Matter Intake Process is initiated. Conflict Search Button Choosing this button allows you to run a quick conflict check on a potential Client. Matter Status Button Choosing this button allows you to view an up-to-the-minute status report of a specified Client-Matter. Processes Button Choosing this button allows you to view Clients and Matters that are currently in the Intake Process. Payment Calendar Button Choosing this button allows you to view up-to-the-minute receipts by either Responsible or Originating Attorney. The security set up by the accounting department controls access to this option. Check Request Button Choosing this button allows you to enter a new request for a check as well as view the status of a requested check. Reimbursement Management Button Choosing this button allows you to request reimbursement for expenses made by you using cash, personal credit cards or when you’ve used a firm credit card. In addition, you may monitor the status of such requests as well as manage requests that may have been flagged to need additional information in order for the request to be approved by your accounting department. My Performance Dashboard Button Choosing this button allows you to see a visual reference of your performance as a working attorney. Firm Performance Dashboard Button Choosing this button allows you to see a visual reference of you firm’s performance. Function Keys and Keyboard Activity Throughout the ORION system, function keys have been assigned default functions. These functions have been modified where required to provide one touch capabilities in certain windows and fields (as noted under separate topic headings). However, unless otherwise specified, these keys are programmed throughout the application to provide the functions listed below. Function Description F8 – Look-Up Function The F8 key (referred to throughout the manual as the F8 Look-Up function) can be used to look up valid entries for an indexed field. This key will be discussed in more detail under “Searches” in this section. F9 - Clear Screen Clear Screen Striking the F9 key abandons any input process, whether adding or editing a record, which may be in process. All fields displayed on the screen are cleared and the cursor is returned to the first field. This key is not active in screens associated with single record databases, such as the screens in the System File. F10 – Save Record This key will save the record, as it appears on the screen, in the database. The Function keys listed above provide only one way in which to perform or accomplish the functions they represent (i.e., delete, save). All screens also provide a button you may click for the same function. In addition, some of the standard Windows commands (ALT+S to save and close or ALT+N to save) are also available. CTRL+DEL – Delete Record The Function keys listed above provide only one way in which to perform or accomplish the functions they represent (i.e., delete, save). All screens also provide a button you may click for the same function. In addition, some of the standard Windows commands (ALT+S to save and close or ALT+N to save) are also available.The combination of the CTRL (or Control) and DEL (or Delete) keys are used to delete the record (single or selected). USE THIS KEY CAREFULLY. Enter This key is used to accept data in field that the cursor is currently in and proceed to next field. Tab This key is used to accept data in field that the cursor is currently in and proceed to next field. Shift+Tab The combination of the Shift and Tab keys are used to accept data in field that the cursor is currently in and go back to the prior field. Page Up This key is used to locate the first record based on the index of the bracketed field and then advance one record at a time. Page Down This key is used to locate the last record based on the index of the bracketed field and then digress one record at a time. CTRL+Backspace The combination of the CTRL and Backspace keys are used to clear the field where the cursor is located. Searches Searches are a little more difficult than most computer functions to fully understand. All search functions are based on the concept of the indexed field. An indexed field is any field which is tied by a specific relationship to a separate database from the one in which it is contained. When you make an entry in an indexed field, that input is usually one of a set of unique multi-character codes, each of which represents an entire record already stored in another database. For example, when you enter a fee transaction, you must assign it to a Client-Matter. Since the Client-Matter field is indexed, you may access the Client-Matter file to look for the appropriate number. ORION provides a special function (F8 Look-Up Function or the LOOK-UP Button) to help you find the code you want. The F8 Look-Up Function or LOOK-UP Button displays a list of valid entries for the field you are in. The LOOK-UP Button as referred to throughout the manual can appear in two different formats. The Drop-Down Button will provide a list of valid entries for the field you are in and is sorted in ASCII order. The sort order cannot be changed. The Look-Up Button will provide a list of valid entries for the field you are in and is sorted in ASCII order. Clicking on one column heading or another while in the list will change the order in which the list is displayed. While in the list, you can move closer to the record you are looking for by typing in the value you are looking for. For example: your list displays clients starting with “Anderson, Inc.”. The Client you are looking for is “Smith and Associates”. To move to this record in the list, start typing Smith. ORION will locate and highlight the first Client Name beginning with Smith. NOTE: Where both the F8 Look-Up Function and the LOOK-UP Button are referenced in the manual, you may use either to access a list of valid entries. Where only the LOOK-UP Button is referenced, the F8 Look-Up Function is not available. The Usage of User ID in Orion Before discussing the correct usage of USER ID, there are several types of ID’s that need to be defined. When starting any ORION program, the program must know the USER ID of the operator. ORION retrieves the USER ID from an environment variable called USER. When loading any ORION application, the program will first search the environment settings on the workstation to see if the environment variable USER exists. Once the ORION program has determined the USER ID, the correct mode for entry and inquiry is set. If the USER ID is defined as an Entry ID, the program will operate in the Proxy Mode. If the USER ID is defined as a Timekeeper, the program will operate in the Timekeeper Mode. If the value is not found as either, the User will not be allowed to enter ORION. Unless a User is set up in the Administration Program to go into the system in an unrestricted mode, the program always begins operation in either the Timekeeper Mode or the Proxy Mode. Following is a clarification of the operation and rights characteristics of each mode. Mode Description Timekeeper Mode All fields related to Timekeeper ID will display the ID from the USER variable and cannot be changed by the operator. This includes Fee Entry, Time Manager, Reporting, Listing and Calendar. All filters are set to the Timekeeper ID and cannot be changed. Upon selecting Fee Entry or Time Manager, the program will assume the Timekeeper ID and display time for that ID. Proxy Mode When in the Proxy Mode, the program assumes the operator is not a Timekeeper, but has a Proxy List of at least one Timekeeper for whom entries can be made. When you start the program, all fields related to Timekeeper ID will be blank in all windows until a default Timekeeper ID has been set (see below). The operator can use the F8 Look-Up Function or the LOOK-UP Button to choose a Timekeeper ID from the Proxy List on any entry window where Timekeeper ID is an option. This includes Fee Entry, Time Manager, Reporting and all filters. Once a Timekeeper ID has been selected, the program will use this as the default Timekeeper ID. Once a default Timekeeper ID has been set, this ID will be used to automatically populate all related windows throughout the program. Upon selecting Time Manager, the program will not display time until a default Timekeeper has been selected. Was this article helpful? Yes/No